After the Clouds

When Winona opened her eyes again, the sharp smell of disinfectant filled her nose.

Asher saw that she was awake. He looked at her coldly and said in a low voice, "Once Ella wakes up, you need to apologize to her."

Winona's chest tightened, and a bone-chilling coldness spread through her.

She had just regained consciousness, yet Asher showed not a trace of concern. The first thing out of his mouth was a demand for her to apologize to Ella.

"She was the one who dragged me into the water with her. Why should I apologize?"

Asher frowned, his face showing blatant distrust. "You're still lying! You were clearly jealous that Ella gave Carter matching family shirts as a gift. You deliberately tried to push her into the water and accidentally fell in yourself."

Winona looked carefully at this man whom she had loved her entire life. His face showed no worry about her near drowning, only anger and accusation.

Six years of living together day and night could not earn her even a shred of his trust.

She suddenly laughed. When she spoke next, her tone was perfectly calm. "If you don't believe me, check the security footage."

She had already completely given up on being Mrs. Rhodes and Carter's mother. Why would she be jealous over matching shirts?

Asher's frown deepened. He studied her intently, as if trying to discern whether she was telling the truth. He felt that lately, Winona seemed different somehow.

"You..." Just as he began to speak, his phone's ringtone interrupted him.

Carter's voice came through the receiver. He could barely contain his excitement. "Dad, Ella's awake!"

The coldness on Asher's face quickly melted away, and joy colored his expression. "I'll be right there."

He hung up and glanced at Winona lying on the hospital bed. His voice turned cold again. "Reflect on your behavior. I don't want my wife to be an irrational, jealous woman. Carter wouldn't want a mother like that either."

With that, he turned and strode away without a moment's hesitation. Winona watched his retreating figure. Her eyes were as calm as still water.

Perfect. Soon, she would no longer be his wife or Carter's mother anyway.

A text notification pulled her from her thoughts.

[Dear passenger, your flight will depart in three hours.]

Winona completed her discharge paperwork. As she was leaving, she passed by a hospital ward. The familiar figures inside made her instinctively stop.

Asher was feeding Ella soup, one spoonful at a time. The tenderness in his eyes when he looked at her nearly overflowed.

"Don't you dare come near Ella! If it weren't for you, Ella wouldn't be sick in the hospital, you terrible mother!"

Carter appeared from somewhere, spreading his arms to block the doorway. He looked at Winona with complete hostility.

This was the first time he had openly displayed his disgust for Winona in front of her. It seemed Ella truly held a significant place in his heart.

Winona's fingertips trembled. In the end, she made no move. She simply crouched down to look at this child she had carried for nine months and brought into the world.

"Make sure you open that birthday gift. Consider it... the last time I prepare something for you to make you happy."

Carter's mind was completely occupied with Ella. He did not care what she said. He turned his head away and let out a cold snort. "What a stupid gift. I don't want it. Staying away from Ella would be the best gift you could give me!"

Winona let out a soft laugh and did not answer.

Carter's wish would come true very soon.

…

An hour later, Winona arrived at the airport with her luggage.

"Wyatt, please pull the security footage from the pool area today and send a copy to Mr. Rhodes."

She sent a final message to the butler, Wyatt Cromwell. Then, she removed her SIM card, snapped it in half, and threw it into the trash.

The moment the plane soared into the sky, golden sunlight bathed her in a soft, warm glow. Winona smiled genuinely.

Asher and Carter, as well as the position of Mrs. Rhodes and Carter's mother… She did not want them anymore.

She was going to live her own life now. From this moment on, they would never see each other again.